Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;april showers&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘April Showers’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two to three inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; white-colored flowers with dark red and dark purplish red-colored stripes and sectors; flowers with white, yellow and purple-colored labella; and good postproduction longevity.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘APRIL SHOWERS’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants.

Inventor: Rene Schoone.

Filed: Jun. 27, 2022.

Ser. No.: 63/355,878.

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of thisprovisional U.S. Patent Application.

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application,Floricultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Aug. 15, 2022,application number 2022/1908. Foreign priority is not claimed to thisapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘April Showers’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Assendelft and Heemskerk, The Netherlands.The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing andfreely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and flowerswith unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in April,2007 in Assendelft, The Netherlands of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘TimothyChristopher’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with aproprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number4551, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsisplant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single floweringplant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in acontrolled greenhouse environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands inDecember, 2019.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlandssince December, 2020 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘April Showers’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘April Showers’ as a new and distinctPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering sterns.    -   4. Strong leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two to three        inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous        flowers.    -   6. White-colored flowers with dark red and dark purplish        red-colored stripes and sectors.    -   7. Flowers with white, yellow and purple-colored labella.    -   8. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Timothy Christopher’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Timothy Christopher’ in flower petal color asflower petals of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are white in color withdark red and dark purplish red-colored stripes and sectors whereas theflower petals of plants of the ‘Timothy Christopher’ are solid white incolor. In addition, the flower labella of plants of the new Phalaenopsisare white, yellow and purple in color whereas the flower labella ofplants of ‘Timothy Christopher’ are mostly white in color with someyellow-colored areas.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the male parent selection in flower petal color as flowerpetals of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have distinct white-colorededges whereas flower petals of plants of the male parent selection donot have distinct white-colored edges. In addition, flower petals ofplants of the new Phalaenopsis are imbricate whereas flower petals ofplants of the male parent selection are “free” and not imbricate.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Streetwise’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,374. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Streetwise’ in flower petal color as flowerpetals of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are white in color with darkred and dark purplish red-colored stripes and sectors whereas the flowerpetals of plants of the ‘Streetwise’ are light yellowish green in colorwith purple-colored markings. In addition, plants of the newPhalaenopsis are more freely flowering than plants of ‘Streetwise’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph at the top of sheet (FIG. 1 ) is a side perspective viewof a typical flowering plant of ‘April Showers’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet (FIG. 2 ) is a close-up viewof typical flowers of ‘April Showers’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the autumn in 8.5-cmcontainers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlandsand under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsisproduction. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs anddescription were taken. During the first twelve months of production ofthe plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27 C. During the finalsix months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20C to 22 C and night temperatures ranged from 18 C to 20 C. During theproduction of the plants, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘April Showers’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Timothy            Christopher’, not patented.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida            identified as code number 4551, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks            at temperatures about 28 C to 30 C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28 C to            30 C.        -   Root description.—Thin, fibrous; typically light yellowish            white in color; actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form in and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright            plant habit with typically two to three inflorescences per            plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;            moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            11.2 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 28 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 31.1 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            four leaves per plant.        -   Length.—About 18.6 cm.        -   Width.—About 7.8 cm.        -   Aspect.—Outwardly arching.        -   Shape.—Narrowly obovate to narrowly elliptic-oblong;            slightly carinate.        -   Apex.—Unequal acute.        -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.8 cm. Sheath width:            About 1.1 cm. Sheath color: Close to 144B to 144C; towards            the margins, close to 143B.        -   Margin.—Entire; not undulate.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            moderately glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A; margin            edges, close to N186C. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface:            Close to a blend of 137B and 146A; venation, close to            NN137B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to a            blend of 146B and 146C; margin edges, close to 199A;            venation, close to 137A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary simple or branched racemes; typically            two to three inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence            with about 14 flowers; flowers face outwardly on outwardly            arching inflorescences supported by upright peduncles;            flowers with three petals, two lateral petals and one center            petal transformed into a labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months            after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter            into the spring.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about ten weeks on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 15.7 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 12.6 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.6 cm. Diameter: About 1.2 cm by            1.4 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 151A;            venation, close to a blend of 178A and 183B.        -   Flower size.—About 5.4 cm (vertical) by 5.6 cm (horizontal).        -   Flower depth.—About 4.4 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one center petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 2.7 cm. Width: About 3.1 cm.            Shape: Roughly reniform. Apex: Obtuse to rounded. Margin:            Entire; moderately and finely undulate. Texture and luster,            upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte.            Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to N155B and            NN155D; towards the base, close to N78D; heavily blotched            and marbled with close to N79B, N79C and 187A to 187C. When            opening, lower surface: Close to 156C, 156D and 157B;            towards the margins, close to N155B to N155C; moderately to            heavily blotched with close to 187B and 187C. Fully opened,            upper surface: Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to            N78D; heavily blotched and marbled with close to 60A, N79B,            N79C and 187A to 187B; color does not change with subsequent            development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 76C;            towards the margins, close to N155A; moderately to heavily            blotched with close to 77A and N79C; color does not change            with subsequent development.        -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and            a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 1.7 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 1 cm. Length, central lobe: About            1.9 cm. Width, central lobe: About 5 mm to 16 mm. Length,            Cirrhose tips: About 5 mm. Shape, lateral lobes: Obovate.            Shape, central lobe: Deltoid with a slightly elongated apex.            Apex, lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with            two curved cirrhose apices. Margins, lateral and central            lobes: Entire. Texture and luster, lateral and central            lobes, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous,            moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at the base            of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral petals;            about 3 mm in length, about 4.5 mm in width and about 3 mm            in height. Color When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes:            Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to 59A and 59B;            towards the margins, close to 5C. Central lobe: Close to 4A            to 4B; sparsely dotted, close to 181B; narrow area, close to            NN155B; cirrhose tips, close to NN155B; towards the base,            close to a blend of 79A and N186B. Callosities: Close to a            blend of 79A and N186B. When opening, lower surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to 76B;            towards the margins, close to 5C. Central lobe: Close to 4A            to 4B; moderately dotted, close to 70A and 70B; narrow area,            close to NN155B; cirrhose tips, close to NN155B; towards the            base, close to 197D. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to 59A and            59B; towards the margins, close to 6B to 6C. Central lobe:            Close to 10A; sparsely dotted, close to 181B; narrow area,            close to NN155B; cirrhose tips, close to NN155B; towards the            base, close to a blend of 79A and N186B. Callosities: Close            to a blend of 79A and N79A. Fully opened, lower surface:            Lateral lobes: Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to            76B; towards the margins, close to 7B. Central lobe: Close            to 4A; moderately dotted, close to 70A and 70B; narrow area,            close to NN155B; cirrhose tips, close to NN155B; towards the            base, close to 197D.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal            sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:            About 2.8 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 2.2 cm. Length,            lateral sepals: About 2.8 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About            1.9 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Broadly elliptic. Shape,            lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal: Shallowly and            broadly retuse. Apex, lateral sepals: Acute to obtuse. Base,            dorsal and lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal and            lateral sepals: Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and            lateral sepals, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous, moderately            velvety; matte. Texture and luster, dorsal and lateral            sepals, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous, slightly velvety;            slightly glossy. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening, upper            surface: Close to NN155B; towards the base, close to N78C            and N78D; heavily blotched and marbled with close to N79B,            N79C and 187A to 187C. When opening, lower surface: Close to            195B; towards the margins, close to 75C and 75D and heavily            blotched with close to N186C and N186D; venation, close to            N186C and N186D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to            NN155D; towards the base, close to N78C, N78D and NN78A;            heavily blotched and marbled with close to 60A and N79A to            N79C; color does not change with subsequent development.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N155B; towards the            base, close to 157D; towards the margins, close to 71A and            N79C; venation, close to N186D; color does not change with            subsequent development. Color, lateral sepals: When opening,            upper surface: Close to 157C; towards the base, close to            157A; heavily blotched and marbled with close to N79B, N79C            and 187A to 187C. When opening, lower surface: Close to 160A            and 160B; towards the margins, heavily blotched with close            to N186D and 187A; venation, close to N186D and 187A. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to 157D; towards the base,            close to 157B; heavily blotched and marbled with close to            71A and N79B, N79C and N186D; color does not change with            subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close            to 75D and 157A; towards the base, close to N170D; heavily            blotched, close to N186D; venation, close to N186D; color            does not change with subsequent development.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 28.8 cm. Diameter: About 4.5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to            148A; moderately to densely covered with fine dots and            marbling, close to 138A and 138B.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 2.7 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 65 degrees from            peduncle axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.            Color: Upper surface: Close to 187B to 187C; distally, close            to 75C. Lower surface: Close to 145C; distally, close to            157D.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 8 mm.            Column width: About 5 mm. Column color: Close to N78B;            distally, close to a blend of N78A and N79C. Pollinia            quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two pollinia): About            2 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 23A. Gynoecium: Stigma            length: About 3 mm. Stigma width: About 4 mm. Stigma shape:            Reniform. Stigma color: Close to 76C; margins, close to 77B.            Ovary length: About 5 mm. Ovary diameter: About 1 mm. Ovary            color: Close to 147D. Seeds and fruits: To date, seed and            fruit development have not been observed on plants of the            new Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate high temperatures about 40C and are suitable    for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘AprilShowers’ as illustrated and described.